Crutches may be required for a person with an illness or injury. They are special medical-type structures that help to transfer body weight in a way that does not involve the affected limb. However, not all models are standard.
In such a situation, you need to know how to choose the right crutches for height, depending on the weight, age and other parameters of the patient. Based on this, you need to choose only the right supports that will not bring inconvenience and further aggravate an already difficult situation.
What can happen if you choose the wrong crutches
If the support is selected without taking into account the individual characteristics of a person, then this is fraught with pinched nerves, the appearance of serious abrasions, improper distribution of loads that will provoke severe pain.
Before you pick up a crutch, you should study the recommendations of experts. If the product is chosen incorrectly, then a person can get inflammation of the shoulder joint,it will cause problems with bones and muscles. Therefore, it is best to contact your doctor who will help you choose the most optimal model. Only a specialist can correctly determine the level of damage to the musculoskeletal system and, taking this into account, advise the best crutches.
Today, there are several varieties of these products: axillary and based on the forearm. This point is also worth considering when talking about how to choose the right crutches. Products with support under the elbow are distinguished by their mobility. They can be used for quite a long time.
Axillary crutches allow you to get rid of more serious loads on the limbs and transfer the main burden to the arms or shoulders. They are easy to use and design. However, these models are not suitable for everyone. So, in order to use such elements, sufficient physical strength is required. Although, on the other hand, they are better fixed if the patient has weakness of the hands. He can hang a little on them when the crutches are under the armpits. But you need to remember that such models can be used no more than 45 days. Consider the features of each variety.
Elbow crutches
Such models are much easier to use, so they will suit even the elderly, children and women who do not have sufficient physical strength. Elbow crutches are used as a rehabilitation tool to help you get the support you need. As a rule, after applying suchdesigns the patient can switch to a cane.
If we talk about the varieties of models, then when deciding how to choose crutches, it is worth considering that they are fixed, adjustable, collapsible or travel. If we talk about the features of these products, then, as a rule, the support in this case resembles a pyramid or a regular tip in shape. In the first case, the product is considered more optimal, since the pyramidal tips provide better stability.
What is important to consider when choosing
It is worth paying attention to how comfortable the handle, which will be held by a person's hand. It is best in this case to give preference to anatomical or standard forms. You need to pay attention to the armrest. The cuff that secures the forearm should be comfortable and not chafing.
Before you pick up crutches and buy them, you should evaluate the model, read reviews about it and try it in action. To do this, lower your arm into the cuff and set the tip at a slight distance from the lower limb (about 20 cm). After that, you need to slightly bend your arm at the elbow at an angle of no more than 20 °. In this case, the armrest, which wraps around the forearm, should be approximately 6 cm above the elbow. This rule is most often used for patients whose height is 170 cm.
If the patient is much taller, then another advice applies in this case. The armrest should be located above the elbow at a distance of 10 cm above it. If the height of a person is less than 150cm, this value is reduced to 5 cm.
After choosing a model, you need to stand in an even position and lower your hands. The wrist should be at the top of the handle. Only in this case can we assume that the support is chosen correctly. In order to grab the handle, you will not need to lift or, conversely, pull down your hand. If it takes a lot of effort to lock the handle, then other models should be considered.
It is also worth saying a few words about how to choose axillary crutches for height. Such models are bought quite often, and sometimes people are unhappy that the products are uncomfortable to use. To prevent this from happening, you need to take into account several recommendations.
How to choose the right axillary crutches for height and other parameters
Such models help to significantly reduce the load on sore legs during movement. When using products of this type, the weight is transferred to the shoulder girdle. Underarm supports are also suitable for the elderly. This is due to the fact that, due to age, such patients are characterized by weakness of the hands, so it is very difficult for them to rely on it with the help of a brush. In addition, crutches of this type are considered optimal for people suffering from overweight. Such models are used immediately after injury. However, they should not be used for too long.
When it comes to fitting adult axillary crutches, a very simple formula applies. Depending on theit is enough to subtract 40 cm from this indicator. The resulting figure will be the optimal height of the product. However, in addition, experts recommend paying attention to the physiological characteristics of a person.
Not always subtracting 40 cm helps to choose the most optimal model. In order to choose the right crutch, you need to make several manipulations.
Advice on choosing the best model
First of all, you need to stand up straight and try to lean on a he althy leg. The shoes are not removed. After this, the patient should relax his arms and lower his shoulders. At the next stage, the crutch is placed in front of the chest. In this case, the tip should be approximately 15 cm from the patient's foot. It is necessary to evaluate the upper part of the crutch. It is usually called a roller. It should be just below the level of the armpits, about 4 cm. This will be the best option.
How to choose crutches for height? You need to decide on the most suitable handle. Again, standing with a crutch, you need to lower your hand down and try to find the handle. If it immediately hits the hand, then this model is suitable.
Speaking of how to choose the right axillary crutches, you also need to make sure that there is not too much pressure on the armpits. To do this, just follow a few steps. If a person is experiencing very serious embarrassment, then this indicates that the crutch is too long, so you should try others.models.
Cane for support
In some situations, the use of crutches is completely uncomfortable or not so necessary. The cane also serves as a support and may be the most convenient item. By and large, this is a stick with a handle, on which the patient relies after an injury. However, it should be noted that modern canes can be equipped with not one, but several support legs at once. It turns out a kind of tripod. Thanks to this, a person does not have to make serious efforts in order to move body weight.
How to choose a cane
When choosing such products, you should also pay attention to a few details. First you need to evaluate the pen. It is necessary to grasp and make sure that the fingers are not able to close in this position into a fist. By and large, the larger its diameter, the better, since in this case it is a better support.
Recommended to give preference to handles with rubber pads. They will not be able to slip out of the palm at the most inconvenient moment. The product should not be too high or low. As a general rule, the handle should be at mid-thigh level. However, keep in mind that the length of the hands may differ for everyone. Therefore, in this situation, it is better to use other advice. You need to relax and lower your arm, and then slightly bend it at the elbow. The handle of the cane should be next to your wrist. However, the best option is to purchase a product that can be adjusted. You may feel comfortable at the time of purchase, but after a few hours of using these products, you will begin to feel uncomfortable.
In order not to worry about how to choose a crutch or cane, you should pay attention to a few more nuances.
Weight and material
Crutches should not be too heavy. The optimal weight is considered to be a model whose weight does not exceed 1.5 kg. If we are talking about a person who himself is distinguished by increased body weight, then, on the contrary, it is recommended that he purchase reinforced models. The weight of such crutches can reach up to 4 kg.
Pillars can be made of metal or wood. The former are lighter, and the metal ones last longer.
Availability of attachments
It is worth giving preference to models with such elements. Nozzles can be selected based on your preferences. Anatomical models are considered the best. There are also attachments for left and right hands.
In closing
When shopping for crutches, don't choose products based on price alone. It is much more important that a person feels comfortable. Therefore, you first need to test as many models as possible and collect information about them.
